HC Deb 15 April 1981 vol 3 cc203-4W
Mr. Allen McKay

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that persons in financial difficulty over paying their water rates do not have their supply of fresh water cut off.

Mr. Giles Shaw

All water undertakers work to a draft code of practice relating to the payment of domestic water supply and sewerage charges issued by the National Water Council in 1978. The code is designed to prevent the disconnection of water supply in case of real financial, or personal hardship, each case being decided on its merits. I believe this arrangement works well in general. If the hon. Member knows of any case where this is not so, I should be grateful for the particulars.